dragonbear

Hello,

I recently bought a 125 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. I will also be adding a refugium in the near future. This will be a reef tank with about 20-30 (small-medium) sized fish.

What Protein skimmer do you suggest? I plan on spending around 300-400 dollars.

Two protein skimmers I looked into are:

1. Vertex IN-250 Protein Skimmer
2. Deltec AP600

Has anyone used these or know of a skimmer that would be better for my set up?

Thanks!

ATP

I recommend a bigger sump. I use a 75 gal on my 125. I would buy like a 50 gallon and cut your own acrylic sections than silicone them. It cost me about 200 for a 75 gal sump with lights and refugim that I made it my self and it cost me 400 for a 30 gal I bought last summer.

I recommend these, but your current sump will not fit them. (might think for the future)

http://www.aquacave.com/asm-g-4-prot...mmer-1302.html
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus...lvue-2201.html
http://www.aquacave.com/etss-600-xr-...immer-519.html

The ETSS will need a special sump that you could drill a 70 or 50 gal. with diamond drill bit or you could buy one. You could put it in your sump if you have a 70 gal sump. I used an ETSS 800 for my 125 for two weeks and it cleared the water. I changed to the ASM 400 plus because I couldn't fit my 800 in my sump.

Steve McKay

Welcome to FishLore.ATP+1 20 to 30 fish is a lot for a reef,you will need everything you can get.You will also need to spend more than 400,a skimmer is the most important piece of equipment.Don't skimp on that,agreed 400 is a lot.I just sold both my arms and bought the Bubble King Alpha 170 Cone Skimmer and I only have a 50 with three fish.